Written Answers Nos. 355-367
355. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 894 of 30 September 2025, if she will consider including a test for prostate cancer in the annual blood test for those men aged 66 years and over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54524/25]
View answerIn April 2025, the HSE and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) published updated National Clinical Guidelines for prostate cancer: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/cancer/profinfo/guidelines/prostate/.
A public guide is also available on having a prostate check and, as per those guidelines, people who have any symptoms associated with a prostate health problem should contract their doctor to discuss those symptoms and their possible cause. Most people with these symptoms will not have prostate cancer. Those who have any of the more serious symptoms listed in the guidelines, which could be a sign of more serious illness, should raise the matter with their doctor without delay.
Persons who want to have their prostate checked should discuss this with their GP who can help the patient decide whether they should have their prostate checked and what this may involve.
PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing as appropriate is available to GPs, and their patients, in Ireland. Testing for PSA has a role in assessment of men with clinical features suspicious for and/or suggestive of prostate cancer and in follow up of men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
The NCCP has advised that PSA testing is not recommended as a routine screening test for men with no clinical features suggestive of prostate cancer. While there is evidence to demonstrate that PSA testing of asymptomatic men is associated with increased detection of prostate cancer, debate continues about the benefits of increased detection as men with non-lethal cancers may, as a result, undergo radical treatments that compromise quality of life.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, an updated European Council (EC) Recommendation on Cancer Screening, was published in December 2022. The Recommendation calls, amongst other things, for member states to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a screening programme using PSA testing for men, in combination with MRI scanning as a follow-up test. The Programme for Government also commits to undertake a review of European screening and early detection programmes including for prostate and gastric cancers, to guide any further expansion of screening programmes.
In addition, my Department is coordinating Irish inputs into a four-year EU4Health-funded Joint Action project, titled EUCanScreen (2024-2028) which is aimed at coordinating research activities associated with the EC Recommendation across Europe. Irish-based researchers are involved in another EU4Health funded project, titled PRAISE-U, which is exploring the feasibility of risk-stratified screening for prostate cancer to help reduce morbidity and mortality caused by the disease, while avoiding overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
I would note that any changes to Ireland’s screening programmes, including the potential introduction of one for prostate cancer, will be facilitated through established evidence-driven protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister.
While there is not a specific subsidy for the cost of a prostate check for specific groups of persons, a wider eligibility framework is in place which includes access to GP care without charges for medical card and GP visit card holders under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme. Medical card and GP visit card eligibility is primarily based on residency and means with regard to the person's overall financial situation. Furthermore, some groups are automatically eligible for either card, including all children under 8 years of age and those aged 70 years or more who are eligible for a GP visit card.
356. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the HSE or a State agency could hire an instructor and a nurse to assist those with health issues in using the hydro pool at MTU Tralee (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54533/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
357. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of mammograms provided at University Hospital Waterford in each of the past 12-months; the average waiting time for mammograms to be read and for the patients to be informed of the outcome; the number of follow-ups required; the average waiting time for individuals to be informed; the waiting time for treatments thereafter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54547/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
358. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54504/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. Higher education institutions (HEIs), such as universities, have autonomy in relation to their admissions. Irish HEIs utilise the CAO, a non-profit private company, to centrally and impartially manage the admissions process and instruct the CAO to make offers on their behalf to applicants. Neither I nor my Department has a role in matters relating to these processes, or in intervening in individual admissions cases.
I would, however, encourage the student and their family to continue to engage directly with the Admissions Offices in UCD, which is best placed to advise on possible admissions options.
359. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of external consultancy contracts entered into by his Department in the past five years, including the original estimated cost, the final cost, and the reasoning for contracting this work rather than using internal resources. [54324/25]
View answerMy Department publishes its annual consultancy spend on the Department website. Please find a copy of the link to this information below.
The Deputy should note that the publications are currently recorded up to 2023.
2024 will be published on line by the end of October.
Consultancy spend is published in arrears in line with the accounts process.
Now that DFHERIS has taken ownership of recording consultancy spend, as part of the transfer of functions from Department of Education, we would plan to publish 2025 Consultancy Spend by the end of Q1 2026
Department consultancy spending
360. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm if any staff devices (laptops, phones, USBs) containing departmental information or sensitive data were reported lost or stolen in the past five years; the number of devices reported; the data risk involved; and the associated cost of mitigation. [54384/25]
View answerThe General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25 May 2018 and any personal data breaches, including lost or stolen laptops and mobile phones, since its introduction are dealt with under the regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
My Department is committed to the highest level of data protection for the personal data which it processes and takes its compliance with data protection obligations very seriously.
My Department's laptops are encrypted, and multifactor authentication has been deployed to protect user accounts from compromise. In addition to this the user’s password is reset as a security measure after a device loss incident.
My Department's phones are encrypted natively and are managed by a mobile device management system (MDM). The MDM system enables the device and the data therein to be controlled and secured. When a phone is reported lost or stolen a remote wipe command is issued to the phone to ensure that any sensitive data stored on the devices is securely erased in order to protect the data and prevent potential data breaches.
As soon as the device is lost or stolen the staff member notifies the relevant sections within my Department. The device is then wiped remotely, the breach is recorded locally, and the staff member is issued additional data breach training . This training is issued on top of mandatory GDPR training that is issued to all staff as part of their induction training. My Department's staff are also reminded of their obligations through updates by email and newsletters, there are also resources available on my Department's intranet site including its data protection policy.
The table below outlines the number of lost or stolen devices since my Department's establishment in August 2020 to 7/10/2025.
|
Year |
Lost/Stolen Devices |
|
|
August 2020 to 31st December 2020 |
0 |
|
|
2021 |
0 |
|
|
2022 |
0 |
|
|
2023 |
0 |
|
|
2024 |
1 |
Low risk |
|
2025 |
3 |
All - no risk |
361. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail the instances in which software or IT systems procured by his Department or agencies were later deemed unfit for purpose; and the costs of replacement or remediation. [54394/25]
View answerMy Department's IT infrastructure is provided and managed by the Department of Education as part of a shared service agreement. The Department of Education has informed my officials that there are no recorded instances of software or IT systems procured by the Department of Education subsequently being deemed unfit for purpose, and therefore no associated replacement or remediation costs.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out below, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with his query.
|
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
|
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Trevor Purtill |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
oireachtas@ggda.ie |
nigel.thompson@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnet Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
Lorraine Gilligan - lgilligan@leargas.ie |
|
Taighde Éireann – Research |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe |
362. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1405 of 17 September 2025, which stated that his Department’s quarterly procurement-related payment reports ‘were originally prepared in Excel and subsequently converted to PDF’, the reason the underlying machine-readable files (CSV/Excel) are not published alongside the PDFs; if this practice complies with S.I. No. 376/2021 (European Union (Open Data and Re-use of Public Sector Information) Regulations 2021) which requires documents made available for re-use to be provided in open, machine-readable formats; in view of the commitment given by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to publish such reports in CSV/Excel on a quarterly basis; when his Department will publish Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 2025 in CSV/Excel retrospectively and publish all future quarters in CSV/Excel in line with open data standards; and if not, to set out any specific legal, technical or operational constraints preventing this, together with his Department’s plan and timeline to resolve them. [54552/25]
View answerThe information that the Deputy has requested is not readily available, my staff are currently collecting and collating this information and I will be back to you as soon as possible.
363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available through his Department which could be used to repair, maintain and improve a public playground in urban County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54271/25]
View answerMy Department provides a range of schemes to improve facilities such as playgrounds in communities nationwide.
The CLÁR programme provides funding in designated areas for community recreation facilities and amenities, including playgrounds under measure 1 of the programme. I launched the CLÁR 2025 programme on 4 April last. I expect to announce the successful measure 1 project later this year. This operates in designated rural rather than larger urban areas.
The LEADER Programme provides support to rural communities under a range of themes, including rural infrastructure and social inclusion themes. LEADER has for many years supported playground projects once they are compatible with the operating rules in place for the programme.
The Local Enhancement Programme provides funding to community groups in disadvantaged areas nationwide, and similarly playgrounds have been supported previously. The programme is administered by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority
The development or refurbishment of playgrounds can also be funded through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) as part of larger projects aimed at the rejuvenation of our towns and villages. TVRS is targeted at towns or villages with a population of up to 10,000 people. Larger towns with a population of up to 15,000 people may be eligible where the application is of a high quality and will have a substantial impact on the town. The 2025 TVRS closed to applications on 25 July 2025 and the assessment process is ongoing.
Details of all funding available can be found on my Department's website.
364. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will grant aid a category 2 application in respect of Kenmare town, County Kerry (details supplied). [54272/25]
View answer365. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide RRDF funding for a very important project (details supplied) for Dingle, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54281/25]
View answer366. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide RRDF funding in respect of Milltown, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54293/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 364, 365 and 366 together.
The RRDF fund is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
To date, RRDF funding of €593 million has been allocated for 243 projects across Ireland, of which, over €17 million has been allocated to 11 projects across County Kerry.
The Programme for Government recognises the importance of investing in our rural towns and villages through schemes such as the RRDF and contains a commitment to increase the fund.
Calls for Proposals under the Fund are sought under two categories, Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to larger scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The 4th Call for Proposals under Category 2 was launched in October 2024 and typically provides funding of up to €1 million per project. The closing date for applications under this Call was the 14 March 2025.
I can confirm that an application in respect each of the projects referenced in the Deputy's questions has been received. The assessment process for the RRDF applications received under this fourth Call, which is undertaken on a competitive basis, is ongoing. Following the assessment of applications, it is anticipated an announcement of successful projects will be made shortly.
367. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the steps he will take to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) are provided with home base facilities in Shannon and in every area where they require them, to enhance their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54475/25]
View answerMy Department implements a wide range of schemes and supports which are available to community organisations and other groups across the country. While my Department does not have a specific funding scheme for operational facilities for the organisation you reference, there may be an avenue of support available under the LEADER programme or the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) operated by my Department.
The LEADER programme is part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 which is co-funded by the EU and the Exchequer. The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) who select and approve projects for the local area.
LEADER does not fund projects on a national basis. Instead, LEADER funded projects are typically based in one LEADER area, and the decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the LAG which administers the programme in that area. However, the LEADER programme does facilitate cooperation projects, where a number of LAGs can come together to fund a project that covers their respective geographic areas.
It should be noted that in order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the EU Regulations and Operating Rules in place for the programme.
Further information regarding the LEADER programme, including contact details for LAGs which can be approached in the first instance for advice on funding, is available on: www.gov.ie/LEADER
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small scale capital funding to community groups and voluntary organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. The fund is administered on behalf of this Department locally by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority. The LEP is currently closed and details of the 2026 LEP are under consideration at the moment.
I would advise the organisation to liaise with their local LCDC and LAG and to monitor my Departments website for further updates.
